Grace Uninterrupted

Sunday, March 5, 2017

It was so fun visiting my parents (last summer) who live in a small beautiful village surrounded by hills, mountains and river flowing down on the other side. Spending time with them for the next few days gave me much needed peace and joy I've been longing for. My parents always make sure that we are fed well whenever we come home. Today, seeing them wrinkled and growing old, it breaks my heart. I cried silently and wipe my tears to see those strong hands who once hold me and pull me when I fall are getting weak and shaky. It almost hit me by surprise because I've been too occupied with other things in life and didn't realise that they are growing old each new day. Today, they are no longer as invincible as I used to think when I was a small girl. They're like a child now. My summer with them turn out to be a great reflective moment for me to PAUSE and prioritise myself in the busyness of this life. Grasping on the fact of mortality and passing of, I was humbled by this reality of life and make me eternally grateful to God for their lives. I thank God for choosing them to inspire me and touch my heart. I will always remain my dad's girl and my mother's little champ...

Below are some of the photos and moments captured during the last summer in month of May (2016) with appe (mom) and appo (dad)...

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Cherry tomatoes in their garden...

Mom watching over her beloved ginger plants...

On their way to the farm...

Fresh chillies

Way to the farm! Yayyy

Dad with his favourite PEN from London gifted by his other daughter Shemaika Anelo...

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

This exactly happened to me during my recent road trip to a desert city called Jaisalmer (Rajasthan, India) also known as " Golden City." It took over a week for me and my pals to decide where to head for...It was crazy googling and finally one fine winter foggy morning, we packed our travelling rucks and decided to head for the desert. It was clear then as we hit the road and meet all the mountains, rocks, rivers & flock of sheep by the time we pass through Jaipur, we were meant to take this journey...

My work has taken me to many parts of India but Rajasthan remind unvisited. As we get closer to our destination, we started getting more closer to the ancient history of Kings, kingdoms and most of all ancient civilisation. This "Golden City" of Rajasthan situated in the heart of Thar Desert was once a princely city. This is it. Without further ado, let me unpack and dust off my travelling diary for you... Hope you'll enjoy it 😻

Jaisalmer on a sunny afternoon

Any traveller will find their own space and enjoy their stay in this city as people are generally simple and genuine i must say (well, except for some scammers and over enthusiastic shopkeepers, hotels and camel owners who are always on the prowl to extract few more dollars and cents from the travellers...so watch out for those black spots).

The Majestic Fort (Quilla) at the heart of the city...

Here's a little intro...

Known as Sonar Quilla (golden fort) was built in 1156 AD by the Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, from whom it derives its name. The fort stands amidst the sandy expanse of the great Thar Desert, on Trikuta Hill. Before the days of the British Raj, the fortress city served as a refuge and way-station for caravans and travellers along the Silk Road- wikipedia.

Sunrise at Thar Desert

I was so amazed to see how the sun rises in the city at 7:35am. I have never waited so long in my entire life (apart from those sleepless nights once in a while) for the sun to rise (hahaha).

But as the sun arrives, along with the group of sunrise watchers, we celebrated and I tell you, it was a pure joy... I was just awestruck by the beauty of the ray that catches the canvas of the sand dunes and most of all, the hope that brought with its warmness in the midst of the windy desert.

Sam Sand Dunes

To my surprise, the Sam Sand Dunes is located in the outskirts of Jaisalmer city, 2 kms from the main town.

Once you reach the place, you will find many hawkers thronging towards you and negotiate with their best prices for Jeep Safari and Camel ride. Many of them are the local people. They are genuine.

However, some crazy ones will come running right in front of your vehicle and stop you in the middle of the road.

Here's some secret tips~

Avoid buying decorated Desert packages from hotels if possible. They charge you like no one's business. We were offered too... However, we took chances and got some of the budget friendly offers and enjoyed to the fullest. So, no difference! Just drive early and you'll catch the worm...

The riders!!!

It was told that the local communities have been riding for centuries...

These great desert ships as famously known(camels) roam through the dunes, sunrise and sunset with its graceful confidence along with their master.

The uncrown desert KING!

Finding the correct balance on top of one of these animals is an exercise of calm, complete surrender and most of all character. It was just crazy riding on the running camel. Felt like a Rajput warrior for a moment before I started screaming behind the hump (Lol)... Shame on me (sigh).

The most thrilling activity after the caravan camel safari is the jeep safari. The jeeps used for the safari are 4X4, with an open top. It was so fun as our driver Mr. Raju drove us at 200km per hour. I experienced 'adrenaline rush' as the music gets louder and the speed gets faster. It was a total exhilarating experience and really you have to experience yourself...words are not enough!

The local folksingers and musician enthralling the desert and the travellers...

Seema ~ The original desert dancer

Musician in the city gate

The city is home to countless artists and story tellers. I just love the fact that they are still in tune with their values, culture and just so happy about it. In a real sense, to me these people are the crown of the golden city who watch over the fort and enchant the city with their music, dance and voices...

Decorated spices

Some of the crafted /metal souvenir

The famous puppet dolls (Kathputali in hindi) of the Rajasthan!

About 200 years ago, Kuldhara was home to the Paliwal Brahmins. It was during this time that Salim Singh, the Diwan of Jaisalmer, known for his debauchery and unscrupulous tax-collecting methods, set his eyes on the beautiful daughter of the village chief. The Diwan was absolutely hell bent on having the girl and he told the villagers if they came in his way he would levy huge taxes on them.

Fearing the wrath of the Diwan, the residents of the entire village fled one dark night, leaving behind their homes and everything within them. Kuldhara was abandoned by its very own people. No one saw the thousand-odd members of the village leave. For generations now, no one knows where the Paliwals have resettled. All that is known is they cursed the town when they left – that no one would ever be able to settle down in Kuldhara again. (Sources: internet).

PS~ I acted brave but was terribly scared inside as I walk through Kuldhara village. The story still intrigued me...

Towards Dusshera Chowk (near Cannon point)!

Walking down and climbing stairs once the Kings and Queens walked and lived.

Make way for this "HAPPENING" cars 😍

Limousine?😄

Hello! Please bow to the great inventors !!!

Like the kings and nobles of Jaisalmer, we will also go down to posterity. Our children and their children will walk the same path and make their own trail like us today. It was a beautiful pre New Year 2017 vacation I took with my mate and co-packers. This journey will go down as one of the most exciting expedition. Thank you 2016 for the great year you are. God is so gracious.

Am not the same having seen the sun rise and set on the other side of the World

~ M A Radmacher

On a great journey of LIFE. Hello 2017! Be good and be kind to one another.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

The oppressors knows that the primary reason we do nothing is because we have lost any hope of making a difference. It is not that we lack power, compassion, courage or knowledge. Rather, we lack a sense of hope that allows us take what we have into the fray. By sheer inertia, therefore, we lend our own weight to the downward cycle of despair. Our lack of hope keeps us from the front lines of engagement.... Gary Haugen.

Whether Corruption, Intolerance, Racism, Poverty, Injustice, Terrorism etc... we hardly flinch now since we've become so numb. How comfortable it has become to walk down within our own guarded moral cloister and crowd out the discomfort of the pain and suffering happening around us. These cloud of moral ambiguity, inaction & selective empathy are only hoarding our purpose. Its high time we take sides, for action over inaction, for justice against injustice, for love & forgiveness over hatred & revenge, for books over guns, for humility over flexing muscle power/pride, humanity over politics and for hope over despair...

Monday, January 26, 2015

The " Hornbill Festival" of Nagaland is one of the premier festivals in India. It is also fondly called as "FESTIVAL OF ALL FESTIVALS"... Religiously held during the first week of December every year in Nagaland. I have been waiting for a long time to attend this festival...hmmm finally here we are.... The festival's spirit of love and memories of my forefathers have resonated far more than I've imagine. Am once again reminded of my rich cultural heritage and all the privilege inheritance I have as Nagas.Nagas are one of the most diverse and unique tribe in the world. Having more than 30 sub-tribes speaking different dialects, Nagas are definitely one of the most colourful community. Hornbill festival is nothing but the testament of the rich heritage of our forefathers and ancestors... the festival embodies the spirit of freedom, love and the spirit of oneness and harmony. Hornbill festival is surely a lifetime treat for a soul who quest for organic inspiration and originality. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, the festival simply echo what is in-scripted by the land and the people who owns it. This is Hornbill festival 2014.... !

Ladies pounding rice

Fire stunts

On fire ( display of bravery)

Fame buzzes through the community and are honoured

Innocence and simplicity

We sing and that's how we talk

Warriors and hunters

This is how I protect my people and hunt

Head of the morung

"Horn"

The young vibrant Naga young adults in their traditional attire

Young Naga lad with his obvious display of bravery decorated with tiger's claws

If in the twilight of memory we should meet once more, we shall speak again together and you shall sing to me a deeper song... Khalil Gibran